622 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



eutirely of some of the lower ones, but in whatever shape the 

 pruning- is done, keep steadily in view the forming of a shapely 

 tree or bush. Cut away any bruised roots, leaving a clean, smooth 

 surface, as at these extremities the new fibers come. Summer is by 

 far the best time to prune trees, yet winter is nearly always se- 

 lected for the work. If we pinch out the top of a growing shoot 

 the side buds burst into growth at once, giving two, three or four 

 shoots in the place of the one, and in tliis waj' bushiness is had in 

 a very short time. But when the shoot is dormant, as it is in winter, 

 a cutting away of its top is an invitation to do it to make another 

 leader, stronger than ever. Many an overgrown tree, now an eye- 

 sore to its owner, would have been a source of pleasure to him had 

 summer pruning been followed instead of that of winter. The same 

 rule applies to shrubs that has been suggested for trees, but it must 

 not be forgotten that nearly all shrubs flower from shoots of the 

 previous season's groAvth, hence care to preserve a sufficient number 

 of them must be exercised. 



I must surely bring these notes to an end, as I spoke of doing a 

 while ago; but before doing so would like to speak of the pleasure 

 to be derived from a lawn or garden, no matter how small it be. I 

 think those brought up among trees and flowers are better than 

 those without them, and keep up remembrances of their old homes, 

 to their betterment. Those of us whose shadows are now falling 

 towards the east, and who had such surroundings, can look back 

 with a good deal of pleasure to the happiness born of our associa 

 tions with trees and flowers, and can thus join with the poet, who 

 says : 



"Thus memory draws from delight, ere it dies, 

 An essence that breathes of it many a year; 

 Thus bright to my soul, as 'twas then to my eyes, 

 Is that bower on the banks of the calm Bendemeer." 



ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



By JOHN THATCHER, Gardener to Ediu. Le BoutilHer, Esq 



Under this heading we have one of the most beautiful and varied 

 class of plants cultivated under glass, which I am pleased to say 

 are becoming more popular in this country. Let us hope the day is 

 not far distant when every private establishment in the United 

 States will have a stove or foliage plant house. One might ask 

 what is more handsome than a well-grown Croton, Maranta or Dra- 

 ceana? And also to what advantage they can be used in the sum 

 mer-time, when garden parties, receptions, etc., are held, at which 

 the gardener does the decorating. They can be placed in shady 

 peaces on the lawn and porches, also used in the mansion for the 

 afternoon and evening, and they will not be in the least injured. I 

 have heard many exclamations of surprise from ladies on seeing 

 the plants thus used and remarking how much more beautiful they 



